| Premier I/IA | |
|---|---|
| Raytheon 390 Premier IA | |
| Role | Civil utility aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon/Hawker Beechcraft |
| First flight | December 22, 1998 |
| Status | Active |
| Number built | 260+[1] |
| Variants | Hawker 200 |
The Beechcraft Premier I is a light jet aircraft made by the Beechcraft division of Hawker Beechcraft. The aircraft was designed to compete with the Cessna CitationJet series of aircraft.[2]
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Design of the Premier I began early in 1994 under the designation PD-374 (PD for Preliminary Design), and development was authorized to continue early the following year. The aircraft was officially launched at the annual National Business Aviation Association Convention in September 1995 and construction of the first prototype commenced late in 1996.[2]
The Premier I prototype was "rolled out" on 19 August 1998 and its first flight was on 22 December 1998; four prototypes were used in the flight test program[2] and its FAA Type Certificate was issued on 23 March 2001. On 22 September 2005, the upgraded Premier IA was certified.
Astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson with the Premier IA on 10 May 2009 set a new speed record for the 1,000 km (545 nm) trip from Hawker Beechcraft's international headquarters in Chester in the UK to Geneva in 1h 13min 30s, representing an average speed of 823.8 km/h (445kt). Gibson, at the controls, was accompanied by aircraft owner Robert Kay and Hawker Beechcraft pilot Aaron Comber. The company has submitted the data to the National Aeronautic Association for verification.
The Premier I is constructed with high-strength composite, carbon fiber/epoxy honeycomb fuselage. The Premier I and IA can be certified as light aircraft for operation by a single pilot. The powerplants are Williams International FJ44-2A engines.
The Premier I has roomy cabin for a light jet aircraft: 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m) long by 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) wide by 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) tall, with folding table, four club type seats, two forward-facing seats, and a partitioned aft toilet.
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004[3]
General characteristics
Performance
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